Page 2: Sailors Celebrate Independence Day Page 3: Operation Husky Commemoration Ceremony Held in Gela Page 4: Around the Region Page 5: Big Navy News Highlights Page 6: The Month in Photos

Sailors Celebrate Independence Day Under the Covers, a local band comprising service members from the Naples area, performs during Festa Americana at Naval Support Activity Naples’ Carney Park. Festa Ameri-cana is an annual event hosted by Morale, Welfare and Recreation to celebrate the United States’ Independence Day with live music performances, high-wire stunts, booths, food vendors and fi reworks. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jared King)

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AmericanIndependenceDay

MCPON’s Independence Day Message

NSA Naples Celebrates Independence Day NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- Serv-ice members, Department of Defense civilians, depend-ents and local Italians came together at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples’ Carney Park for Festa Americana, June 29.The annual event, sponsored by Morale, Welfare and Rec-reation (MWR), is to celebrate the United States’ Independ-ence Day with the Naples community.Cmdr. Robert Barbee, NSA Naples executive offi cer, and the U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band kicked off the event at 1 p.m. with an opening ceremo-ny and the celebration lasted until midnight.The event featured a softball tournament, food vendors, a hot dog eating contest, carni-val rides, live music perform-ances, a pie eating contest and a high-wire stunt act.“This is my fi rst time here, ac-tually, but so far this has been

a great event,” said Personnel Specialist 1st Class Raymun-do Aguilar. “Coming from San Diego we had events like this, but this event has been by far the best.”One of the things Aguilar found particularly memora-ble was the food booths, set up by many of the volunteer organizations from the NSA Naples community, offering a

variety of foods from the U.S.“The food, that’s the best thing out here so far,” said Aguilar. “You got a mixture of everything and coming from stateside that’s good. It brings a little taste back to my herit-age.”Serving up coleslaw and pulled pork sandwiches at one of the food booths was anoth-er fi rst-timer to Festa Ameri-

cana, Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Vincent Gamboa.“I thought it was great,” said Gamboa. “I had a lot of fun volunteering and giving peo-ple a little taste of pulled pork and true coleslaw.”The festival concluded in the evening with a fi reworks display during a performance by the “Willy Pete” band at 10 p.m.The event was the culmination of a lot of hard-work, behind the scenes, by an army of volunteers and organizations. One such volunteer, Cathy Knapp, has been helping out with Festa Americana since 2000.“Festa Americana is a great event,” said Knapp. “I hope everybody comes out and en-joys themselves. It’s really just a day to relax and enjoy. To think about all those who have sacrifi ced for us so that we can enjoy our lives whether we be in the states or over-seas. It’s a really nice event.”

Story and photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) John Herman

Chief Musician Luis Lebron conducts the U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band in a performance of the Italian and American national anthems for the opening ceremony of Festa Americana at NSA Naples’ Carney Park.

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Master Chief Petty Offi cer of the Navy Mike Stevens’ 4th of July message to Sailors and their families:

Shipmates and Navy Families,

As we take time to celebrate 237 years of independence, let us remember to reaffi rm our own commitment to liberty and freedom. Let us remember the meaning of the 4th of July, the meaning of the Independence Day.

Take a moment to refl ect on a portion of the Declaration of Independence . . .

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights; that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

While many of us enjoy fi reworks, festivals, parades, and cook outs together to give thanks for our freedom and what our Country has become: the freest, most inspired and resilient Nation on earth, please remember the thousands of Sailors who are deployed around the world protecting these very freedoms. Please remember our Navy families who stand the watch at home so our Sailors can focus on missions on the ground, in the air, and at sea.

Also, remember that you are our Navy’s most valuable asset. Whether you are on the road or in the swimming pool, remember safety is paramount. If you decide to drink, don’t drive and have a plan to get home safely.

I am very proud of each and every one of you for the sacrifi ces you and your families make for our great Navy and Nation.

Continue to work hard, stay out of trouble, and be good and decent people.

Happy Independence Day!

Very respectfully, MCPON

MCPON’s Independence Day Message

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GELA, Sicily (NNS) -- U.S. Ambassador to Italy David Thorne joined Sailors, Air-men, and Marines stationed or deployed to Naval Air Sta-tion (NAS) Sigonella for the 70th annual Operation Husky commemoration ceremony at Aldisio Mallia Palace in Gela, July 10.The ceremony is dedicated to fallen members of the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division who died during the Allied invasion of Sicily, which took place during World War II.“Today as we commemorate that momentous turning point in the war, and in the destiny of Sicily, let us all resolve to work together to strengthen the relationship between our two peoples,” Thorne said. “The relationship that has de-veloped between Americans and their Sicilian hosts since World War II has been a close one, a relationship marked by countless ties between us.”Also in attendance with Thorne, NAS Sigonella Com-

manding Officer Capt. Chris Dennis, service members from Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Sicily and Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force 13.3, Governor of Sicily, Rosario Crocetta, Prefetto of Caltanissetta Dr. Carmine Valente, and Mayor of Gela, Angelo Fasulo.

“The friendships developed between our American military personnel stationed in Sicily and their Sicilian host commu-nities have been an endur-ing characteristic of military service here,” Thorne said. “We want to nourish and strengthen that bond of friend-ship between us. We would never wish to jeopardize that

relationship with our hosts, our friends.”As part of this year’s ceremony, NAS Sigonella and Gela officials invited retired Army Col. James Clarke and his family to lead the wreath-laying for the fallen members.

Clarke was six months old when his father, Lt. Col. Arthur Gorham, lost his life during Operation Husky and said hav-ing his family present to honor his father and the rest of the fallen mem-bers was a great moment

for him and his family.“This is our family’s sec-

70th Anniversary Operation Husky Commemoration Ceremony Held in GelaStory and photos by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Cameron Bramham

ond return to Sicily to honor those brave Soldiers who gave their lives to begin the invasion that eventually top-pled fascism in all of Europe,” Clarke said. “I’ve learned about my father through books and a scrapbook my mother kept. This time I brought my sons, my daugh-ter and two of my grandsons so they can learn and get to know their great grandfather.”After the wreath-laying, former 82nd Airborne members Melvin John Hoffpauir and Col. Tucker Mansager lead a role call for those who gave their lives, concluding the ceremony with the traditional shout of “Airborne!”

“On this day, 70 years ago, the destiny of the Sicilian people took a historic turn,” Thorne said. “The graves of American dead lie still today on Italian soil, bearing witness to the supreme sacrifice paid by American Soldiers in the Sicilian campaign.”

Retired Army Col. James Clarke (center right) stands with his family during a moment of silence at the 70th an-nual Operation Husky commemoration ceremony.

NAS Sigonella Commanding Officer, Capt. Chris Dennis stands at attention during the singing of the National Anthem at the 70th annual Operation Husky commemoration ceremony.

SIGONELLA, Sicily (NNS) -- The Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO), Adm. Mark Ferguson, visited Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella July 26.The scheduled visit marks Ferguson’s first visit as VCNO to the base. He was joined by Fleet Master Chief April Beldo from the Bureau of Personnel. The VCNO addressed Sailors at an all hands call and discussed the effects of budget uncertainty and the importance of the Navy’s forward deployed operations. Ferguson also met with NAS Sigonella’s Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Deci-sions (CSADD) representatives to talk about challenges faced by Sailors in the area and to answer their questions and concerns.“In Washington, we can make policies, but it is leadership that changes what happens on the ground. We need leaders at the deckplate level to halt sexual assault, which has no place in our Navy,” said Ferguson. He further commented, “CSADD provides positive men-toring and support for our Sailors.”“I believe that the impact of the VCNO’s words is best targeted at the junior sailors,” said Interior Communications Electrician 2nd Class (SW) Tiffany Hamilton, NAS Sigonella CSADD chapter president. “Statistics have proven that these are the ranks where most of

the sexual assaults, alcohol related incidents, and other destructive decisions occur. His vis-it, personally, let us know that the higher chain of command is listening to what we have to say and believe we make a difference.” During the visit, Ferguson toured the water treatment plant and had an opportunity to view first-hand how the installation has been working to meet the Secretary of the Navy’s commitment to ensuring overseas installa-tions have the same water quality standard as

those in the U.S. “Providing our Sigonella com-munity with the same quality drinking water we are accus-tomed to in the U.S. is one of my top priorities,” said base commanding officer Capt. Chris Dennis. “As commanding officer, the safety of our com-munity is my responsibility and one that I take very seriously. More than 3.4 million people die each year from water, sanitation, and hygiene-related causes. We cannot be too seri-ous when it comes to providing safe water to NAS Sigonella.” The commanding officer, along with representatives from the Naval Hospital and Public

Works, briefed the VCNO on measures taken to ensure wa-

ter quality for the base. The VCNO also visited NAS Sigonella’s Mo-rale, Welfare a1nd Recreation facilities, which are currently undergoing a $4 million reno-vation project consisting of a multi-purpose sports field and lighting system, gym and fitness center upgrades, tennis and basketball courts resurfacing and swimming pool repairs. The visit concluded with a tour of U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella and the reenlistment of two hospital Sailors.

ODESSA, Ukraine (NNS) -- Exercise Sea Breeze 2013, the 16th iteration of the largest annual multinational maritime exercise in the Black Sea, ended July 20, as representa-tives from the 14 participating partner nations gathered together for the exercise closing ceremony. Naval, air, and land forces from participating countries worked together both ashore and at sea from July 8-20 in order to strengthen interoperability and to improve maritime security. “The military leadership of the fourteen na-tions that participated in Sea Breeze know that we can only improve as a cooperative team if we challenge ourselves,” said Capt. James Aiken, exercise deputy director. “Only then can we increase our cooperation and our interoperability as we become familiar with each other’s military operating procedures and practices.”Much of the exercise focused on maritime interdiction operations as a primary means to enhance maritime security. The other key component was utilizing sea basing to conduct a range of operations ashore such

as non-combatant evacuation to humanitarian assistance/disaster relief.“The primary goal of the exercise has been achieved,” said Ukraine navy Rear Adm. Den-nis Berezovsky, exercise director. This year’s Sea Breeze increased in complexity by incorporating more real time operational chal-lenges.“We challenged the Sea Breeze participants by moving from scripted events to real time opera-tions, requiring both operational and tactical decision making,” said Aiken. “As events occurred within the scenario, commanders at the operational and tactical level were called on to provide a plan of ac-tion for a response.This year’s participants included Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Canada, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine and U.S., along with France, Libya, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates, as observers.Sea Breeze 13, co-hosted by the Ukrainian and U.S. navies, aimed to improve maritime

safety, security and stability engagements in the Black Sea by enhancing the capabilities of Partnership for Peace and Black Sea regional maritime security forces.

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Exercise Sea Breeze 2013 Draws to a Close

Vice Chief of Naval Operations Visits NAS Sigonella SailorsStory by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian T. Glunt, Navy Public Affairs Support Element-East Detachment Sigonella

Story and photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd ClassJason Howard

Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO), Adm. Mark Ferguson received tours of NAS Sigonella’s facilities and met with representatives from the installation’s organizations. (Photo by Machinary Repairman 1st Clast Gary Spence )

Exercise Sea Breeze 2013 Participants Come

Together For Closing (VIDEO)

Sailors assigned to the Golden Swordsmen of Patrol Squad-ron (VP) 47 ad Ukranian media tour the German Air Force C-160 Transall transport aircraft at Shkolniy Airfield during Sea Breeze 2013.

Feds Feed Families Kicks Off(VIDEO)

Navy Officials Announce Reduction in Positive Results for Synthetic Drug

Testing (VIDEO)

Navy Decommissions USS Reuben James (VIDEO)

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B i g N a v y N e w s

CNO Addresses Sexual Assault in the Navy (VIDEO)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- During his first visit to Naval Air Station (NAS) Jackson-ville July 16, Defense Secre-tary Chuck Hagel called on Congress to work with DoD to avoid sequestration in fiscal 2014.Otherwise, DoD will be forced to cut $52 billion from its budget that only could be accomplished by putting together an extremely severe package of military and civil-ian personnel actions.With U.S. Reps. Corrine

Brown, Ander Crenshaw and Ted Yoho joining the audience at a town hall meeting with civilians and Sailors at Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) aboard base, Hagel called on Congress to work with DoD to avoid sequestra-tion in fiscal 2014. “If the cuts continue, the department will have to make sharp reductions with far-reaching consequences - in-cluding limited combat power and reduced readiness that will undermine our country’s national security interests,” Hagel told the audience.

In addition to Fleet Readiness Center Southeast, Hagel’s tour of NAS Jacksonville included: a luncheon with regional business and civic leaders; a media roundta-

ble; a commissary tour; a P-8A Integrated Training Center tour; and a flight line tour of a VP-30 P-8A Posei-don aircraft.

Vice President Visits USS Freedom in

SingaporeRight: SINGAPORE (July 27, 2013) Vice President Joe Biden greets Sailors on board the littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) during a tour of the ship to thank Sailors and their families for their service. Freedom is in Singapore as part of her maiden deployment to Southeast Asia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Spe-cialist 3rd Class Karolina A. Oseguera/Released)

Below: SINGAPORE (July 27, 2013) Vice President Joe Biden salutes the crew of the littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1). Fast, agile and mission-focused, littoral combat ships are designed to operate in near-shore environments and employ modular mis-sion packages that can be configured for surface warfare, mine countermeasures, or anti-submarine warfare.(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Karolina A. Oseguera/Released)

Hagel Talks Budget with Sailors, Civilians

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel passes out coins and thanks motor-cade drivers before boarding a P-8. (Photo by Glenn Fawcett)

Story by Jax Air News

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T h e M o n t h I n P h o t o s

CAMP LEMONNIER, DJIBOUTI (July 07, 2013) Camp Lemonnier Commanding Officer Capt. Pete Van Stee (center left) and Colin Cookney, vice president of construction for Tetra Tech, break ground on the first permanent barracks to be constructed there. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jerome W. Mapp)

SOUDA BAY, Greece (July 7, 2013) Cmdr. Kevin Kennedy delivers remarks after relieving Cmdr. David Dry during a change of command ceremony aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107). (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James Turner)

NAPLES, Italy (June 28, 2013) Service members, Department of Defense civilians and their dependents watch the performance of Sesame Street characters during a USO event at Naval Support Activity Naples. (Photo by Mass Communication Seaman Luis R. Chavez Jr.)

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY, Bahrain (July 3, 2013) The coastal patrol ship USS Tempest (PC 2) transits from Khalifa Bin Salman Port to Mina Salman Pier. (Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Stephen Murphy)

SIGONELLA, Sicily (July 1, 2013) Sailors assigned to the Golden Swords-men of Patrol Squadron (VP) 47 perform a preventative maintenance inspection on a P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft at Naval Air Station Sigonella. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd ClassStacy D. Laseter)

Naval Station Rota, Spain rose the American flag during the annual flag raising ceremony July 3. (Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Charles Panter)